A: All children who live in households that receive benefits from SNAP or TFA can get free meals regardless of your income. Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

A: Yes. foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible to receive free meals. Any households' foster child is eligible to receive free meals, regardless of income.

A: Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless or runaway qualify for free meals. If you have not been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail Thomas Brant at 203-397-4821 or thomas.brant@amityregion5.org to see if they qualify.

Q: If a member of my household receives SNAP or TFA benefits may I submit an application?

A: Yes. Households with any member who is currently certified to receive SNAP or TFA benefits may submit an application for these children with the abbreviated information as indicated on the application and instructions.

A: Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free or reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

Q: My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?

A: Your child and family may be eligible for SNAP benefits if your child is determined to be eligible for free meals. For information regarding the SNAP and to contact the Department of Social Services office in your town, contact United Way’s free referral number 2-1-1 (free call, statewide).

Q: What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?

A: You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing Amity Regional School District No. 5, District Offices, 25 Newton Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525, Attention: Theresa Lumas, terry.lumas@amityregion5.org, 203-397-4813.

Q: My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one?

A: Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for up to 30 operating days in the new school year. Note however, that unless you have been notified that your children are directly certified or you submit an application that is approved, the children must pay full price for school meals and the school will not send you a reminder notice of expired eligibility when the carry-over period ends.

Q: Do I need to fill out an application for each child that attends the same school district?

A: No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household that attend that district. (Note: If you have children that attend different school DISTRICTS, then one application will need to be completed for each district.) We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Complete an application online today.

A: The most common reason for not receiving your confirmation email is an incorrect email address. Most email addresses are long and not intuitive to type, resulting in possible errors. Another possible reason is that your Internet Service Provider has mistakenly blocked the confirmation email, confusing it with spam.

Q: Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free meals?

A: No put please read the letter carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Kathleen Kovalik at 203-397-4801 immediately.

A: You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do not include them.

A: List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

Q: We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income?

A: If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.

Q: My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is her combat pay counted as income?

A: No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic pay because of her deployment and it wasn’t received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact your school for more information.

A: We will use the information on your application to decide if your child should get free or reduced price meals. We may inform officials connected with Title I and the National Assessment of Educational Progress whether your child is eligible for free or reduced price school meals. They will use this information for funding and/or evaluation purposes. Information may also be disclosed if you want the application to be used to get other benefits.